Weekly Newlsetter

From the desk of Rabbi Yosef Sanders:
 
Shalom, 
 
The "Nine Days", the national mourning period over the tragic loss of the Temple, begins this evening at sunset. 
 
Please access a compendium of relevant Laws and Customs at the link below. 
 
And just as we mourn as one over our inconsolable loss, so, too, may we merit to yet rejoice together in the cities of Judah and the courtyards of Jerusalem, Amen! 
 
Thank you, 
 
Yosef S  
 
https://www.countryshul.org/laws-and-customs-of-the-nine-days1.html#

Copyright © 2020 The Richmond Hill Country Shul, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted-in to receive the RHCS Newsletters.

(P) 905-709-7485  (E) office@countryshul.org

Our current location:
The Richmond Hill Country Shul
9225 Bathurst Street
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 6C2
Canada

From the desk of Rabbi Yosef Sanders

A Slap for all Generations
 
Shalom Shul family, 
 
It was in the times of the horriffic Cantonist decree, wherein the Czarist government would snatch young Jewish boys away and forcibly conscript them into the army for 25 years, hoping to relieve them of their religious beliefs along the way.
 
Troops arrived in the city of Brisk, and all who could made themselves scarce, so as to avoid capture.
 
The local Melamed, teacher, was a very holy man. He was known as "der blinder", the blind one, because he would habitually shut his eyes when in the street so as to spare himself from seeing anything impure. "Der Blinder" was studying Torah with a group of young students, and in marched one of the Czar's soldiers, demanding compliance with this evil decree.
 
The Rebbi was upset at having his lesson interrupted. He walked over to the individual responsible for disturbing, and gave him a sharp slap in the face!
 
This was viewed as an insult to the Czar himself, and it was only after much effort that the community leaders were able to secure a release for the Melamed from this seemingly unpardonable crime.
 
When it was all over, the esteemed Rabbi of Brisk, Rabbi Yosef Dov haLevy Solovocheichik, approached the teacher and asked him how he had the temerity to do such a thing.
 
The Rebbi did not seem to understand the question. "We were in the middle of a passage of Talmud, and this man had the Chutzpah to interrupt!"
 
Years later, this man's grandson studied under the sainted Chafetz Chaim, who told him that his Zeidy's slap will stand by his descendants until the Messiah arrives.
 
In our times, Jewish traditions are not forcibly challenged by armies and soldiers. But the forces that are at work today to erode our Jewishness are not less threatening; perhaps even more so. 
 
We must draw upon our internal  - and eternal - reserves, and deliver a determined, figurative "slap in the face" to everything that seeks to shift us away from the path and destiny entrusted upon us.
 
Shabbat Shalom!
 
Thank you, 
 
Yosef S

7:22 PM Earliest Candle Lighting 
8:37 PM Candle Lighting

SHABBAT DAY - Saturday   
9:30 AM Shacharit (Morning Service)
9:38 AM Latest Sh'ma
10:15 AM Torah Reading 
11:15 AM Rabbi's Message
12:00 PM Kiddush

SHABBAT EVENING

9:48 PM MA'ARIV (Evening Service)

HAVDALAH
Shabbat Ends July 18, 9:48 PM

KIDDUSH THIS SHABBAT...

Annual General Meeting - July 28, 2020
There will be a meeting to elect a new board of directors on Tuesday July 28. Your participation would be greatly appreciated. more details to come.

THIS WEEK IN THE COUNTRY SHUL...

MITZVAH RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
Q: Why do we celebrate Shabbat with two loaves of Challah at each of the three meals? 

Last Weeks Question
Q: Please identify the unique letter that appears only once in the entire Torah, in this week's Torah Reading, and the reason for its singular appearance.

A: THIS WEEK IN THE COUNTRY SHUL...

MITZVAH RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
Q: Why do we celebrate Shabbat with two loaves of Challah at each of the three meals? 

Last Weeks Question
Q: Please identify the unique letter that appears only once in the entire Torah, in this week's Torah Reading, and the reason for its singular appearance.

A: 'Hat tip' to Rob for his answer - the extra - large 'Nun' in last Shabbat's Torah Reading.
 
This occurs in the story of the daughters of Tzlaphchad, who asked to inherit their father's share in the distribution of parcels in the Land of Israel, as he had no sons. Rashi quotes the Gemara that says that this Halacha was properly Moshe's to hand down [and his reputation should not be viewed as tarnished by the fact that he couldn't answer their question], and it was only the extraordinary merit of these women that earned them a piece of the very fabric of eternity by handing it down in the Torah in their name. 
 
Thus the Talmud (Bava Basra 119b) says in the name of Shimon haShikmoni, of the disciples of Rabbi Akiva: Moshe, indeed, knew that daughters inherit where there are no sons, as this is a basic Torah law. The  question they were asking was regarding their father's status as firstborn, and the firstborn's right to a double portion. Certainly, the daughters were to inherit any double portion of their father's, but what needed to be clarified was the inheritance due Tzlaphchad in the distribution of shares upon their arrival in the Holy Land.
 
This is because a B'chor has a double share only in property in his father's hands at the time of passing. Anything unrealized at the time of passing, although later attributed to the father, does not yield special privilege to the firstborn over the other sons. 
 
Shares to be attributed to Tzlaphchad in the Land of Israel were unrealized at the time of his death in the desert. The Daughters of Tzlaphchad were asking if these shares, referred to by the Torah as 'Morasha', a legacy, were to be deemed a 'Yerusha', an inheritance, by virtue of which, although unrealized at the time of his  passing, Tzlaphchad would be attributed a double portion, or would these shares be treated as strictly a 'legacy' to be handed down to future generations, without the status of an inheritance and its inherent  firstborn privileges. 
 
Thus the question is how the Laws of Inheritance are applied to the specific instance of apportionment of shares of Eretz Yisrael [which carries no implication that a basic Halacha was withheld from Moshe], as opposed to a question in the  basic rules of inheritance. 
 
The Ohr haChaim haKadosh thus says that the [large] 'Nun', representing the feminine plural possessive, placed at the end of the word, 'משפט', judgement,  stresses this point. It was **their** specific case in application of the Law, not a fundamental question of the Law itself.

Copyright © 2020 The Richmond Hill Country Shul, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted-in to receive the RHCS Newsletters.

(P) 905-709-7485  (E) office@countryshul.org

Our current location:
The Richmond Hill Country Shul
9225 Bathurst Street
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 6C2
Canada

The Country Shul is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: "Timeless Wisdom" Pirkei Avot Monday Night Learning at 8:45 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 839 6265 3006
Password: Shulfamily

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Copyright © 2020 The Richmond Hill Country Shul, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted-in to receive the RHCS Newsletters.

(P) 905-709-7485  (E) office@countryshul.org

Our current location:
The Richmond Hill Country Shul
9225 Bathurst Street
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 6C2
Canada

From the desk of Rabbi Yosef Sanders

The Rabbi and the Chief Justice 
 
Dear Shul family, 
 
At a time in Israel when there was a strong effort being led to legalize abortion on demand, a certain Rabbi Raphael Levine was chosen to lead a delegation to present the Torah view before Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Yehuda Tamir.
 
It was an awesome undertaking and responsibility. Unborn souls were at stake, and the Rabbi chosen was one of the sons of the great Tzaddik and Rabbi of the "Prisoners of Zion" during the British Mandate.
 
Rabbi Levine felt the weight of the august assignment entrusted to him, and was overwhelmed with concern over the success of his mission. He asked for massive and multiple Prayer sessions to be held in the three days prior to his scheduled meeting. And, indeed, they were.
 
When the day arrived, the delegation made its way to their hearing, and introduced Rabbi Levine as their spokesman.
 
Rabbi Levine stepped forward and introduced himself as the son of Rabbi Aryeh Levine. 
 
This brought a broad smile to the face of the Judge, who well remembered the revered sage, and responded, "Yes, Reb Aryeh was our Rabbi!"
 
Rabbi Levine explained that, in lieu of an ideological discussion, he would like to share a story:
 
Rabbi Aryeh Levine once received a phone call from a young man, asking for help with an argument going on between he and his wife. The husband wanted children, but the wife felt that they were not financially stable enough to support children at that time. She was already pregnant, but wished to abort. They both agreed to consult Reb Aryeh and follow his guidance in this matter. Reb Aryeh agreed to meet.
 
When the opportunity arose for them to speak person-to-person, Reb Aryeh greatly encouraged them to bring this child into the world, telling them that they were building G-d's world by bringing this soul down, telling them this would bring much blessing into their lives. He offered his assurances and blessings that all would go well. 
 
The couple felt relieved and energized by their personal encounter with the sainted Rabbi, and did, indeed, celebrate their baby's birth with utmost Simcha, showering their love upon this precious child.
 
Rabbi Levine then delivered the "finishing touch" to the story: He told the judge that this young man grew up to become none other than the respected Chief Justice, Yehuda Tamir!
 
Judge Tamir immediately picked up the phone and called his mother to verify the story. Upon asking her if this, was, in fact, true, Mrs. Tamir hesitated. She begged her son to understand that life in the fledgling days of the State was much different, and they had, indeed, entertained the option of aborting, only to be persuaded by Reb Aryeh to choose the path of life.
 
The Judge pounded his gavel, and said, "So long as Yehuda Tamir is Chief Justice, there will be no legalized abortion in Israel"!
 
The delegation of Rabbis could not have been happier. But they were very curious; why had Rabbi Rapahel Levine been so worried, and gone to such great lengths to create many gatherings of prayer? He had had the keys to the solution in his hand the entire time!
 
When the question was put to him, Rabbi Levine replied, "Stories, stories! It was not the story! It was the power of prayer that achieved our success!"
 
May Hashem likewise grant all of our prayers! 
 
Wishing you a very beautiful and meaningful Shabbat Shalom, 
 
Yosef S

7:26 PM Earliest Candle Lighting 
8:42 PM Candle Lighting

SHABBAT DAY - Saturday   
9:30 AM Shacharit (Morning Service)
9:34 AM Latest Sh'ma
10:15 AM Torah Reading 
11:15 AM Rabbi's Message
12:00 PM Kiddush

SHABBAT EVENING

9:54 PM MA'ARIV (Evening Service)

HAVDALAH
Shabbat Ends July 11, 9:54 PM

KIDDUSH THIS SHABBAT...

THIS WEEK IN THE COUNTRY SHUL...

WELCOME - BRUCHIM HABA'IM!
...to Leon and Carina Amram, and their daugher, Sophie, who have moved in to the neighbourhood! May your move bring you much Simcha, Bracha, and satisfaction as you raise your family in your new home!

MITZVAH RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
Q: Please identify the unique letter that appears only once in the entire Torah, in this week's Torah Reading, and the reason for its singular appearance.

Last Weeks Question
Q: This week's Torah Reading tells the story of Balaam the Prophet. Where is there a veiled reference in the Siddur, read by some every day - in our Shul, at least once a week?

A: The poem, 'Yigdal', immediately following 'Adon Olam' in the Siddur, includes a phrase, 'Lo kam b'Yisra'el k'Moshe Od'  - There will never rise again in Israel a Prophet as great as Moses. The Medrash teaches, however, ''[True], in Israel there will not be another Moshe, but amongst the Nations of the World, there will be... and this refers to Balaam." The reason given is so that the Nations cannot argue that, had they had a Prophet, they would have chosen to follow Torah...

Copyright © 2020 The Richmond Hill Country Shul, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted-in to receive the RHCS Newsletters.

(P) 905-709-7485  (E) office@countryshul.org

Our current location:
The Richmond Hill Country Shul
9225 Bathurst Street
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 6C2
Canada

The Country Shul is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: "Timeless Wisdom" Pirkei Avot Monday Night Learning at 8:45 PM
Time: 8:45 PM 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83962653006?pwd=SUlZbUxqNUNQajMrTmlsYTFrK082dz09

Meeting ID: 839 6265 3006
Password: Shulfamily

One tap mobile
+12532158782,,83962653006#,,,,0#,,888721# US (Tacoma)
+13017158592,,83962653006#,,,,0#,,888721# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location     
        +1 778 907 2071 Canada
        +1 438 809 7799 Canada
        +1 587 328 1099 Canada
        +1 647 374 4685 Canada
        +1 647 558 0588 Canada
 
   +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 839 6265 3006
Password: 888721
 
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/knv8j5IVb

Copyright © 2020 The Richmond Hill Country Shul, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted-in to receive the RHCS Newsletters.

(P) 905-709-7485  (E) office@countryshul.org

Our current location:
The Richmond Hill Country Shul
9225 Bathurst Street
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 6C2
Canada